Norwich Public Utilities approves its 2020-21 budget of almost $96 million, which includes a rate increase only for sewer customers.

Norwich — City leaders on Monday formalized a twoweek plan to keep city services and offices functioning, while mostly closed to the public and with employees avoiding close contact with one another as much as possible during the COVID-19 crisis.

City Manager John Salomone said he had teleconference meetings Monday with city officials and union leaders on the two-week plan. City Hall remains closed to the public, with custodial staff greeting people coming to the door and explaining the situation.

Several offices are open by appointment only, including the city clerk’s office for essential vital records only — such as birth and death certificates — Human Services for emergencies, building and zoning. Permitting staff, including the city fire marshal’s office, are reviewing plans but not conducting routine inspections, Salomone said.

The city fire and police departments are fully staffed, and Public Works Department crews have been divided into yellow and orange crews, with staggered work schedules. While programs and field maintenance are on hold, Recreation Department staff will spend much of the time integrating new program software that was just installed.

Erin Haggan, coordinator of Youth and Family Services, on Tuesday announced plans to reach families in need using “creative and supportive ways.” Telehealth therapy and case management sessions are in place for youth and families. The staff is creating training and informational videos to provide electronically to community members regarding mental health and managing stress, Haggan wrote in a news release.

Some Youth and Family Services staff also are developing at-home activities for children and families that will be posted on the agency’s website and social media pages to raise awareness about suicide and substance use prevention.

Haggan, a licensed clinical social worker, is set up to do telehealth therapy sessions through www.doxy.me with Norwich residents aged 21 and under, allowing face-toface sessions over the web. Telephone sessions can be scheduled for families without access to the web platform. Send email to ehaggan@cityofnorwich.org to schedule a session.

Youth and Family Services Caseworker Christine Goracy also can provide case management services over the phone or face to face through doxy.me for Norwich residents 21 and under. To connect with her, email her cgoracy@cityofnorwich.org.

Updates on youth and family services are available on the agency’s webpage, norwichct.org/yfs.

Salomone said city employees who can be productive working from home are doing that.

The transfer station on Rogers Road remains open “for now,” Salomone said after last week announcing a plan to close the facility to the public. The transfer station is operated by Willimantic Waste Co.

Norwich has kept all city parks open for isolated recreation, and city staff are monitoring the parks to ensure that large groups are not gathering for sports, picnics or events. Basketball courts and playgrounds have not been barricaded.

On Tuesday, several walkers were using the outdoor track across from the Kelly Middle School, keeping their distance from one another. Next door, several children rode bicycles and tricycles in the virtually vacant Rose City Senior Center parking lot. Several other youths were at the adjacent skateboard park. Walkers and hikers also were taking advantage of Tuesday’s sunny, cool weather to walk the sidewalks and along the roads at Mohegan Park.

“We’re trying to provide the service to the community, at the same time be responsible about not spreading the virus,” Salomone said. “It’s a challenging compromise.”